Congressman Says Sick Baby Deported, Authorities Claim Child Was Medically Cleared

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U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro claimed that immigration authorities deported a 2-month-old baby with bronchitis to Mexico along with his family, despite the child being unresponsive "in the last several hours." However, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the child was in "stable condition and medically cleared for removal," and that the child's mother chose to take the baby with her when she was deported.

Why it matters

The detention and deportation of children by U.S. immigration authorities has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, with concerns raised about the treatment of minors in federal detention facilities and the potential harm caused by separating families.

The details

According to Rep. Castro, the 2-month-old baby was deported along with his 16-month-old sister, mother, and father. The congressman said he confirmed this with the family's attorney. However, a DHS spokesperson stated that the child's mother, Mireya Stefani Lopez-Sanchez, was apprehended crossing the border illegally and chose to take her child with her when she was deported after a judge issued a final order of removal.

• On January 21, Border Patrol apprehended the child's mother, Mireya Stefani Lopez-Sanchez, crossing the border illegally near Eagle Pass, Texas.
• On February 8, a judge issued Lopez-Sanchez a final order of removal.
• On February 19, 2026, Lopez-Sanchez and her child were removed from the U.S.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge's decision to issue a final order of removal for the family is likely to be a key focus going forward, as the legality and ethics of deporting a sick infant are scrutinized.